Each mom has something that they feel especially proud of as a mother, something they did that they will remember fondly through the years.
When I was pregnant, many veteran moms shared with me their amazing journey with breastfeeding and how it was the best thing they did for their child. They raved about the effects of breast milk and the bonding that ultimately came from spending so much time with their baby. This was simply not my experience. Let’s just say, I’d rather stick a nail in my eye than go back to the first month of breastfeeding.
Other moms share how they loved staying home with their baby and watching every single moment of every single breath. They loved every feeding, every cry, every nap. They went with them to baby play classes and the thought of leaving them for even a moment was unbearable. Sadly, I’d say that wasn’t me either. Staying at home all day, even for one day, makes me batty, and I imagine, a total hag. Ask Husband.
My very proud mama moment is a shared proud parent moment; something shared not only between me and Rafa but with Husband also. Maybe its because Husband and I are both Super Foodies, but making food for Rafa is actually exciting. Each week before we go on our family shopping trip, we decide what vegetables and fruits she will be eating that week: Pears? Carrots? Pumpkin? Apples? The doctor gave us so many choices and its so fun to think of different combinations and new experiences she will taste every week.
After its bought, it’s time to cook it up a la Latino. Peeling, coring, chopping (onions, garlic, etc. – think your own broth) and then plopping in the vegetable of choice to boil in our homemade broth. The fruit is easier: peeling, coring, and steaming in a separate pot. When the veggies are soft we strain the broth and then blend them up. This makes her food for a week or longer.
We scoop the puree into ice cube trays and freeze them. Once it is frozen, we transfer it to a bigger container. Every morning when I wake up to get her food prepared for the day, I take out 7 cubes and put them in a container to defrost and voíla – lunch for the week!
The part that feels really good, really proud parenty, is that even though it takes a bit longer to make I gladly give up that time. I never thought this would be a thing I did, but it is. This is our breast feeding, our stay at home all day without tiring, parenting thing. Food. That’s our thing.
LolaElle
March 28, 2012ahahaha! I am so glad that you are reading along on our overseas journey. It means a lot that you are reading and that you still get a kick out of me 🙂 I knew I was getting VOILA wrong but was too lazy at the moment to change it. I'll change it today. Check out my facebook comment about Wala/Voila when another friend corrected me. LOVES!
Marilyn
March 28, 2012OMG, how lovely!! 🙂
Lauren
March 28, 2012Jen, I get a kick out of reading your blog. You are doing great at this mama thing & the DR really suits you. And ACTUALLY it's voilà 🙂